Recently I began to workout with kettlebells, and I have come to the conclusion that it is a great tool for women to add to their workout routines. Of course before you add anything to your exercise routine check with your doctor to make sure it is appropriate for you.

Kettlebells are ball-shaped cast iron weights with a loop as a handle. They range in size and weight, with the most commonly used being between 10 pounds and 50 pounds. The largest are the size of a bowling ball and can weight over 100 pounds. In the past they have been used mostly by men in their weight training routines, but they are quickly becoming more and more popular among women as well.

So, why should women consider using kettlebells in their fitness program?

1. Kettlebell workouts are total body workouts. They require the person to lift the kettlebell which forces the entire body to contribute to lifting and controlling the weight. This builds strength and stability at the same time.

2. Kettlebell workouts engage several muscle groups at the same time. This not only strengthens those muscle groups, but you get a great workout in a very short amount of time. Since kettlebells come in a variety of sizes and weights, you can build upon your success very easily, or use different weights for different exercises to make the workout more diverse.

3. Working with Kettlebells is fun. It is quite surprising how quickly you increase your endurance and stamina using kettlebells. Within weeks, what felt extremely heavy and awkward initially, because easy, smooth and quite empowering. Results in tone and definition could be seen with weeks as well. It was quite rewarding. In addition, after a kettlebell workout, you feel great.

As with most new training techniques, it is important to start slow and have the instruction and guidance of an experienced trainer. Most women who start off with kettlebell training start with a weight that is either too light or too heavy. This can result in serious injury or extreme fatigue if the weight is too great, and boredom and poor results if the weight is too low.

If you have become bored with your exercise routine, and want to add a little spice or if you would like to start adding strength exercises to your workout, adding a kettlebell may be just what you need. Give it a try. You just may fall in love with this new form of exercise just like I did.